Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage at a much-anticipated product launch Tuesday at the Flint Center in Cupertino, California. (Fun note: The Flint Center is the same place where Steve Jobs launched the Mac 30 years ago.)
Cook began the event by introducing the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, followed by Apple's new mobile payment system, Apple Pay. He then moved on to reveal the long-rumored Apple Watch, a wearable smartwatch that features the much-hyped "sapphire" glass and a flexible retina display.
"Apple Watch is the most personal device we've ever created," Cook said at the event. The Apple Watch, which comes in two sizes and offers wireless charging, features a "digital crown," which "translates rotary movement into digital data," Cook explained. The digital crown ensures navigation accuracy and allows scrolling with ease, without having to pinch or block the watch's screen. Interestingly, the Apple Watch "recognizes the difference between a tap and a press" to enhance functionality. And, never fear, the watch will feature pop-up notifications from all your favorite apps, so you won't have to go a nanosecond without checking Twitter.
The Apple Watch will also include health and fitness tracking sensors, so you won't need to have a Fitbit/Apple Watch arm party, in addition to two new apps, Fitness and Workout. And don't worry about the gadget wrecking your style — the watch comes in six band types and in three different collections, so whether you want the "Watch Sport" version or something fancier, like the 18-carat gold "Watch Edition," you'll be able to wear your smartwatch in style. And speaking of individual style — Apple Watch has its own emoji with customizable faces, which, really, is reason alone to buy the thing. The biggest catch, though, is that you'll need an iPhone 5 or later to use the Apple Watch.
"It's amazing what you can do from your wrist," Cook concluded. Below, a first look at the Apple Watch, which starts at $349 and will be available "early next year," Cook said. --Meghan DeMaria